Teamtalk (I know!) are reporting that the Toon have finally given up on signing Distin.

Apparently no progress was made in the showdwon talks with Sylain's 'people' in London yesterday and he now looks set to sign for Man Citeh. There is a suggestion in the Teamtalk report - that may, of course, mean nowt - that the Toon were intensely irritated that SD had increased his pay demands, and that this was the main sticking point. So, I wonder if there was an initial 'understanding' between SD and the Club when he came on loan as to what his pay would be when his move became permanent, and if his people moved the goalposts after his loan spell proved successful?

In my experience, this is certainly part of the French way of doing business, and it wouldn't surprise me at all. If true, I would applaud the Toon for telling to stick it where the sun don't shine.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Answers

ICNewcastle agree about Distin (Probably said it first) and say Stam is now a target. At least Titus Bramble has been put on ice 'cos of his operation - no pun intended.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

"I would applaud the Toon for telling to stick it where the sun don't shine." c'mon mate, you are going soft! :-)

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

...just a pussy-cat, swift, a pussy-cat! ;o{)

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Japp Stamm would certainly add some strength to the defence, but it would still leave us with a problem at LB. O'Brien to RB, Dabs and Stamm in the middle and Hughes on the left? I wonder............

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Nah Screacher,

O'Brien, Stam, Hughes

Emerton, Solano, Dyer, Jenas, Robert

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Hmm, why do the papers keep on talking about Stam? Didnt Stam himself say he didnt wanna play in a English club because he had already played in the best one (Scum U)? And didnt Sir Bobby say that had a better player then Stam in mind? To answer my own questions: Yes, they did.

Ok, you cant belive everything you read or hear but I find it very unlike Stam will come here. If he did I would of course be thrilled.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Newcastle's look set to miss out on the signing of French defender Sylvain Distin, after Newcastle officials failed to agree personal terms with Distin's advisors.

The two parties couldn't agree on the players wages and Distin's £4m transfer to the North-east now looks unlikely.

Newcastle offered £18,000 but Distin was holding out for £25,000, the same amount that French Colleague Laurent Robert recieves.

Manchester City now look favourites to capture one of France's brightest stars after Keegan said he is willing to pay the full £25,000..................!? I thought we offered £12k gross. If City are really paying £25k they must be stark raving mad. Mind you, they must have known what they were getting with Kev. He throws money around (read 'wastes' it) like a drunken man. As someone once said of Ike Turners household furnishings 'I didn't realise that you could spend a million dollars at Woolworths'

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

£25,000 a week does appear well over the odds for a defender, with a history of being a bit troublesome. He's not even an International (or pushing for a place). Hasn't been in a side that's won anything. Has shown talent at his time at NUFC, but defending is about consistency and big fees go to defenders that have shown consistency season after season(or perhaps outstanding leadership). I think £18,000 was a very generous offer. Keegan must be desperate to sign him.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

"Keegan must be desparate to sign him"

If Keegan was so willing to pay that much a week... makes you wonder if somehow someway he didn't plant that little bug up SD's arse, knowing we weren't gonna pay it. I tell you one thing... if Keegan hadn't planted that bug, he woulda signed for us by now.

Mind you, there's no possible way in my mind Keegan would ever do such a low-down dirty trick like that against the toon.

Not our beloved Messiah...no bliddy way!!!!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

There are so many numbers bandied around - who knows what the correct figures are. What is now suggested as being our offer - £18k - looks about right to me. Certainly, I wouldn't pay him the same as Robert.

This get's right to one of KK's weaknesses - he really doesn't care to take any interest in the Club's finances, or what they can really afford, and simply expects others to 'take care' of that. At one level this is fine, but needing to sign several costly players to compete in the PL, he could lead his Club into financial trouble - or, of course, take a huffy if he doesn't get them. It will be very interesting to watch - and Bradford provides a working model for what can happen if you get it wrong.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

I think (hope) YBR has something up his sleeve on the Centre Bcck front. You can say what you like about Dabz and Andy O'B but they're black and white through and through. As for Distin, hope he breaks both legs and never plays again. Greedy bastard. He's straight out of the Goma / Domi mould. Let's just wish him all the success his compatriots have enjoyed.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

I'm a KK fan. No apologies. BUT I can't help thinking that with his clear history of bearing grudges, he'll be looking to score points off Bobby Robson for his (perceived as) unwarranted dropping from the England squad and NUFC (DH and FS) for whatever went on behind the scenes before he left. I still beleive he has a LOT of respect for the fans, but he'll definitely not be looking to do us any favours...

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002